Essay Questions

What is the symbolic meaning of the prince's journey brought out by Buzzati in ‘The Seven Messengers’?

The prince sets out on an ending journey away from his kingdom. As a result, the prince becomes more distant from his family and relatives. The prince's journey represents life, which is also a journey to an unknown destination. As children become mature, they marry and move away to start their families. People make independent decisions to decide the destiny of their lives. However, life is a long journey that requires an individual to make the right decisions. The prince sets out for a long journey, and his throne is taken away from him because he cannot be traced. Therefore, as people embark on life journeys, they should remember to draft exactly what they need to achieve at particular times.

Did the prince's long journey make any sense to him in the long run?

The reader realizes that the prince sets out to go on a long journey without a specific purpose. The prince intended to travel and see the kingdom without drafting a specific function for his travel and how he could coordinate the kingdom's actual happenings. After many years of travel away from the kingdom, the prince's father dies, and the prince is nowhere to be located so that he can become the next king. Unfortunately, the prince is considered lost, and his brother is given the title 'King' to continue his father's throne. The prince realizes late that his journey is purposeless, and he has just wasted his opportunities and time.

What is the significance of the messenger, Domenico, to the prince?

The prince has sent all his six messengers, and none has returned after many years. The only remaining messenger that gives the prince ties to the kingdom is Domenico. According to the prince's computations, if he sends Domenico out, he will return after thirty-four years, and by then, he will be long dead. Therefore, Domenico is a significant character because he is the only tie of the prince to the kingdom.